Written by Bella Wise

As the Varsity Boys Squash Team gets ready for another season, captains Henry Fogel ‘25, Chris Mathias ‘25, and James Murphy ‘25 guide the way. 

Match days for the captains begin with routines as particular as their playing styles. Fogel’s day starts with picking out a game-day bandana. Murphy begins the day by immediately brushing his teeth. Mathias has a tradition of starting his mornings with ten “good-morning jumps,” giving him a burst of energy that sets the tone for his day.

Fogel, Mathias, and Murphy have many years of squash experience, and for all three, their love for the sport stems from their family. Fogel’s father played squash in college. Mathias was inspired by his uncle, a professional squash coach, and started playing seven years ago. Murphy began playing squash at age five, similar to the age his family started playing at. Now, with many years of experience on the court, the captains use their strengths to lead the team. Fogel is consistent with his wins and kills in the mid-court, Mathias has great athleticism and agility, and Murphy has a strong mental game, allowing him to control the pace and keep his opponents on their feet. 

It is essential to be mentally tough during a squash match, and each captain has their own way of staying composed. Fogel focuses on playing one shot at a time, while Mathias, who once lost a match after being up 10-1, has learned the importance of not getting ahead of himself and instead focusing on each point as they come. Murphy sums it up simply by stating, “I step on the court and dog it out.”

Although losses are challenging, each captain has gained valuable lessons from these experiences. Fogel learned it is important to adapt his game plan based on input from his coach and teammates, instead of being set on the original approach. Mathias realized that squash is not just an individual sport – an individual’s losses are the team’s losses. Murphy understood that every game – win or lose – allowed for moments to refine different aspects of his game.

Even though squash is an individual sport, teamwork and collaboration with coaches are vital parts of the game. The head coach is often at away games with the girls’ team, so the captains constantly lead practice and ensure each session is productive. Fogel emphasizes holding accountability for himself and other players; Mathias sees himself as a role model for younger players; and Murphy, known for his infectious energy, brings his supportive presence and hypes up his teammates. These leaders can’t wait to step onto the courts and begin what seems to be an exciting Squash season.